Alabama defensive back Dee Milliner was the first of three consecutive Tide players drafted in the first round this year. / Jim O'Connor, USA TODAY Sports

by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

The NFL's draft festivities have become an annual three-day infomercial for the Southeastern Conference, which continued its run of dominance with 33 players among the first 99 taken. The SEC accounted for one-third of the players taken in the first three rounds and one-fourth of the annual event's 254 total picks. Its 63 players drafted bested by eight the previous single-year draft record for a conference set in 1983 by the Pac-10.

Even against the backdrop of SEC dominance, however, Alabama's ability to consistently produce upper-tier NFL prospects highlights the program's nearly unprecedented ability to win on the field - and win big - and then reap the benefits during the draft.

Three former Alabama stars had their turn on the dais Thursday, back-to-back-to-back from picks No. 9 through No. 11, with cornerback Dee Milliner going to the New York Jets, guard Chance Warmack to the Tennessee Titans and offensive tackle D.J. Fluker to the San Diego Chargers.

"I think we are really proud of our players, first of all," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "We are very happy for them and their families. We had three first-round picks this year and we have had three or four every year for the last few years. We had a school record (modern draft era) nine players drafted this year and eight a year ago. It is great to be able to watch our player's dreams come true in the draft. Most of the guys who worked hard to earn a role on our team have gotten a chance to make a roster at the next level either as draft picks or free agents."

The first-round trio gave Alabama 12 first-round picks in the last three seasons, with six among the top 10.

"I certainly don't recall any team being nearly as productive in terms of NFL draft prospects as Alabama," said Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com. "At least if we go back to the University of Miami," which had 13 players go in the first round from 2001-03.

Alabama's recent success gives Saban 22 first-round selections in his last 12 seasons as a college coach, dating to his time as coach at SEC rival LSU. Nine Alabama players were selected in this weekend's seven-round draft.

"The fact that he has been as productive and consistent in terms of churning out those prospects is a testament to the talent evaluation that he and his staff go through," Rang said.

Many of Alabama's recent first-round picks come from two recruiting classes, Saban's first full class in 2008 and his second in 2009. Sixty players committed to the Crimson Tide those two years, though several ended up not enrolling because of academic issues or the Major League Baseball draft.

Of those 60 signees, 10 have become NFL draft first-rounders - one-sixth of the classes, an absolutely staggering number in an age of greater talent parity where a once-unheralded offensive tackle from Central Michigan, Eric Fisher, can be the first overall pick.

What draws the NFL to Alabama is Saban's NFL-style program, in terms of the on-field product - Alabama uses NFL systems on offense and defense - and the physical nature of the Crimson Tide's practices.

"Nick Saban runs his team like an NFL franchise," Rang said. "Alabama is just known as the most physical football team in the country. Everybody talks about the jump in speed and physicality that prospects face when they get to the NFL. There's not necessarily that big jump when you're coming from the University of Alabama."